UTSA early voting site ranked 12th of 44 sites

(May 14, 2008)--The early voting site at the Main Building on the UTSA 1604 Campus drew 943 voters from April 28 to May 6. UTSA's site ranked the 12th busiest of 44 county sites. Additionally, the university provided free designated parking for voters.

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The location and number of early voting sites is different each election. For the last five years, Jennifer Storm, UTSA assistant director of external affairs, has served as university liaison with voting officials as they determine where to set up early voting polling sites.

"We are pleased that many people took advantage of the UTSA early voting site, and we hope to continue to offer this convenience," said Storm. "With half of UTSA's 28,500 students living in Bexar County, along with faculty and staff, the Valero headquarters next door and many residents near campus, potential voters equal the population of a small city."

Bexar County voters can early-vote at any county site. In the May 10 totals, residents voted in the Joint General and Special Elections to approve the short-term car rental and hotel occupancy taxes, also known as the "visitor tax." The tax will fund up to $415 million in community projects to improve 13 miles of the San Antonio River, create tournament-quality youth sports facilities including some to be located at UTSA, improve Bexar County-owned community arenas and rodeo grounds, and enhance performing and cultural arts facilities. Even though there were four propositions, only the two taxes were extended with no tax increases involved.

Over the years, UTSA Student Government Association (SGA) leaders consistently have sought a UTSA voting site because of student requests. SGA and UTSA Alumni Association representatives say that an on-campus early voting site encourages students to do their civic duty by voting and getting involved in the political process.